City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Chiang Mai vs Surabaya — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Chiang Mai
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 17.3 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chiang Mai.
Surabaya
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 13.8 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Surabaya.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Chiang Mai | Surabaya | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $371 | $437 | $66 |
| Groceries | $345 | $343 | +$2 |
| Dining Out | $88 | $54 | +$34 |
| Transportation | $39 | $20 | +$19 |
| Utilities | $101 | $79 | +$22 |
| Other / Misc | $56 | $67 | $11 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Chiang Mai
$1,000
per month
Surabaya equivalent
$798
per month
Only $798/mo in Surabaya matches $1,000/mo in Chiang Mai — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Chiang Mai on $1,000/month?
Living in Chiang Mai on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$371 to rent, $345 to groceries, $88 to dining.
Can I live in Surabaya on $1,000/month?
In Surabaya, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $437 rent, $343 groceries, $54 dining.
Is Chiang Mai or Surabaya cheaper?
Surabaya is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Chiang Mai 17.3 vs Surabaya 13.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Chiang Mai worth in Surabaya?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Chiang Mai equals ~$798/mo in Surabaya using COL adjustment.